News

Progress and achievement now part of the Education Conversation

The Ministry of Education is seeking views about student progress and achievement as part of the nation-wide Education Conversation.

Parents, whānau, students, iwi and educators – and anyone with an interest in learning – are being encouraged to share their views through an online survey that went live on 1 June.

The survey supports the work of the curriculum, progress and achievement reference group, who are leading conversations within their existing networks to talk about learner progress and achievement across the wider curricula: TheNew Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

Feedback from the survey and face-to-face discussions will inform the development of recommendations to the Minister of Education about what tools and supports are needed to develop changes to assessment, aromatawai and reporting systems.

“Focusing on progress and achievement across the curricula will enhance teacher practice and lead to better outcomes for all,” says Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary for Early Learning and Student Achievement Ellen MacGregor-Reid.

“It will help teachers and kaiako to understand their students better and to personalise learning – in other words, provide the right learning opportunities and support.

"Parents and whānau will know what progress their children are making at school or kura, and how they can best support their children’s learning.”

Assessment, aromatawai and reporting systems will need to adapt to support a focus on progress and achievement across the curricula.

“We want to work with the sector and to have input from parents, whānau, students, iwi and communities to develop a shared understanding of what is needed,” says Ms MacGregor-Reid.

In the meantime, schools and kura will continue to provide twice-yearly reports to parents about their children’s progress and achievement. The Ministry is providing guidance for schools and kura as an interim support in 2018.